Design Wall Monday

Judy at Patchwork Times http://www.patchworktimes.com/2011/01/31/design-wall-monday-january-31-2011/ has a Design Wall Monday ....that I've enjoyed many times hopping around to various blogs to see what is on your design wall. Today...I can post something. Often I'm at the long-arm and that isn't quite a design wall ...although to me it feels that way.

This was a BOM lotto that I never did in our guild several years ago....but compiled the fabrics each month to make a very unique thematic basket based on the month. Six done....I think seven to go!

Understanding Stitch Length

Understanding Stitch Length
Great reference for those who might be newbies to quilting or sewing.

Finale of Bordered Beyond the Block

Yesterday I submitted my AQS 2010 Mystery Quilt entry to their contest. This is a photo of part of the quilting detail. I had to get my courage up and be bold about using the black thread. It is very exposed on this pale pink fabric, but I felt the quilt needed it.  I've uploaded lots of additional detailed photos to my Facebook Page including the piecing evolution of the mystery and the progression of designing the extra border which we were allowed to do as part of the contest. If you are interested in the specifications for the additional border, please send me an email requesting them.

I also want to share with you the original inspiration of my fabric choice. Stacy (Lee) Barter -- high school work colleague and classmate back at Monterey Bay Academy painted this several years ago.


"My Grandmother Dreams in Peonies"
Won the Best in Show $25,000 Award for the 2007-2009 Museum Exhibition Tour of Blossom - Art of Flowers.



My hope is that this quilt will be published in the American Quilter Magazine. My Part 1 of the mystery was posted on their blog.

Bordered Beyond the Block

It was a bit breezy, so hard to hold straight, but thanks to my neighbors Christy and Della....I was able to capture this photo before loading it onto the quilting machine. I'm very happy with how it turned out. Now to enhance it with quilting? !!

Flutterbright - what a delight!

Finished piecing this Flutterbright design. I'm very pleased with the resulting secondary pattern which helps to make this look three dimensional and almost stained glass like. I have not quilted it yet. This is an original design by me done on request for Highland Quilts in Athena, OR. Contact the shop to sign-up for the class that will be taught soon. Patterns will be available there and include foundation piecing for 4 small blocks in the center medallion. The rest is mostly strip piecing with an efficient technique to not have much loss of fabric when trimming but still get accurate block sizes. The panel prints of the pansies and butterflies come in a blue/purple colorway as well. Highland Quilts has fabrics to coordinate for both colorways.

AQS - 2010 Mystery - BTB - Bordered

How is this for a test of my extended borders?

Difficult to add blocks to the border with this particular center size, so the appearance of a black very small border immediately beyond the center section wouldn't be there. OR...maybe it should be? This border is 6.5" wide...so the outside will be black about 0.5" to keep the squares 2" in line with the center section's 4-patch blocks (pin wheels too).

AQS Mystery Quilt 2010 - "Beyond the Block" - Part 3 piecing now complete

Fun to get the piecing of this mystery completed. I'm now debating whether I should add a border and extend some of the elements into the next border to add a little more interest. I love the focus fabric and am thinking of using that as the primary fabric for an outer border. Then the dominate elements might be extended into the outer border like the dark pink lines in the upper part (with stars) and going down towards the right mid-quilt. Also the 4-patch blocks in the lower left corner and pinwheels in the lower right corner. wdyt?

Maywood Trunk Show on display (includes my quilt!)

My husband, Duncan, and I had the opportunity to be in Portland this weekend. On our way home last night, I was impressed to make a quick stop at Fabric Depot. I just wanted to check and see if my "Will You Accept This Rose?" quilt, the result of my Jackie Robinson block design Viewer's Choice win last summer, was on display. Sure enough, there it was on the west wall as part of a Trunk Show with all patterns and books on sale. I was really excited. Of course, being on Sunday night, there weren't many people around, especially in the office, so just happened to mention it to the two gals who helped me--which was kind of fun to get their reaction. So...it still is out there! Fun to see it again. Maybe I'll be able to create another quilt with the 'leftover' pieces during February. If you're in the area, I hope you'll stop by and take advantage of the sale, but at least check out the quilt. The photos are hard to represent the quilting, seeing it in person allows you to see those details too.

AQS Mystery progress

After working to quilt several customer tops this week, I get to work on my version of the AQS Mystery Quilt "Beyond the Block" today. This was issued in 3 parts. Here is a photo of my progress through Part 2 captured during a brief moment of sunshine on a cold winter day. I'll post again when I've got it put together.

Original mystery information available at AQS for members: http://www.americanquilter.com/publications/patterns.php

Green Fairy Quilts: Double Giveaway to start off the New Year!!

Green Fairy Quilts: Double Giveaway to start off the New Year!!
Judi always has fun things going on and a great way to get pre-cuts! Check it out.